Restless Legs Syndrome

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In a message dated 3/18/2004 5:41:45 AM Eastern Standard Time, rey

writes:

Restless Leg Syndrome

 

 

This is a western medical term.

 

 

 

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Restless

Legs Syndrome

 

20 Calming Techniques

No party, no music, no Gene Kelly. But as you lie in bed, anxious to fall

asleep, your legs-just feel like dancing.

What's going on?

Well, maybe you've been repressing your true calling-to be a Rockette. But

probably you are one of the estimated 5 percent of the population with

restless legs syndrome.

The condition, also known as Ekbom syndrome, is usually a chronic annoyance

rather than a symptom of a serious neurological disorder. It is

characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, " jumping " of

the

legs, and deep creeping or crawling sensations in the legs.

" Typically both lower legs are affected, although the thighs and even the

arms can be involved, " says Lawrence Z. Stern, M.D., a professor of

neurology and director of the Mu«cio F. Delgado Clinic for neuromuscular

Disorders at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. " Both sides

are not always symmetrical. "

The origin of the sensations is unknown. Some researchers suspect an

imbalance in the brain's chemistry may be the root cause of the problem.

Whatever the physiology of it, the condition certainly isn't as much fun as

dancing. So here are a few steps you can take to cut in on restless legs

syndrome.

Get up and walk. Restless legs syndrome tends to strike at night, when you

re at rest. So the quickest way to satisfy the legs' urge to move is to

comply with a stroll around the bedroom, says Ronald F. Pfeiffer, M.D., an

associate professor of neurology and pharmacology and chief of the Section

of Neurology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Of course, some people have trouble sleeping even without restless legs

syndrome. Thus, while walking is a good way to halt a sudden, severe attack,

it might also be a good idea to try the following.

MEDICAL ALERT

 

 

 

Be Conscientious: See a Doctor

If you have restless legs syndrome, you probably don't have anything to

worry about-except the sleep it sometimes causes you to miss.

But if you're experiencing symptoms for the first time-pronounced sensations

in the legs, usually at night-see your doctor. The symptoms of restless legs

syndrome can be warning signs for serious medical problems such as lung

disease, kidney disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and many

neurological disorders.

So for safety-not to mention peace of mind-let your doctor diagnose.

 

 

Walk before going to bed. In some cases this noticeably reduces bedtime

bouts of restless legs syndrome, says Dr. Stern. " Exercise changes

chemical

balances in the brain-endorphins are released-and may promote more restful

sleep, " he adds.

Wriggle. Or is that wiggle? Either way, the idea is to move your feet back

and forth when symptoms arise.

Change positions. " Some people seem to develop symptoms a lot more

sleeping

in one position than another, " says Dr. Stern. " Experiment with

different

sleeping positions. It's harmless and may prove to be worthwhile. "

Soak your feet in cool water. " It works for some, " Dr. Pfeiffer says.

One

caution: Do not follow a " more is better " theory and immerse your

feet in a

bucket of ice; you could cause nerve damage.

Warm up. While cold helps some people, others find using a heating pad more

soothing and effective, Dr. Pfeiffer says.

Take one multivitamin daily. " Iron deficiency may be a cause of restless

legs syndrome, " Dr. Pfeiffer says, noting that several studies have found

an

association between iron deficiency and restless legs syndrome. Folate

deficiency also has been implicated in restless legs syndrome. If you

suspect a deficiency, check with your doctor.

Dr. Stern says a daily multivitamin can protect you against deficiencies of

both nutrients.

Take two aspirins before bedtime. Doctors can't say why aspirin helps, but

apparently it does reduce symptoms in some people.

Don't eat a big meal late. Eating a lot late at night may get the legs

really jumping. " It may be the activity of digesting a big meal that

triggers something that causes symptoms, " offers Dr. Stern.

Lower your stress level. Easier said than done but certainly worth trying.

Stress just worsens the problem, " says Dr. Stern. Being organized, giving

yourself quiet time, taking deep breaths, and practicing various relaxation

techniques are good ways to reduce stress.

Get plenty of rest. Symptoms may be more severe if you allow yourself to

become overtired.

The Alternate Route

 

 

 

Different Nighttime Routines

Restless legs syndrome can be chronic-it pesters some people off and on for

years and years. " So a lot of people will try different rituals, "

says

Richard K. Olney, M.D. And some of those rituals, odd as they may be,

work-at least some of the time.

Why do they work? Doctors don't even want to hazard a guess. But at the same

time, if these unusual methods pose no danger and could help, you may want

to give them a try.

Wear cotton stockings to bed. Maybe try this one in winter-at least they're

warm.

Wear silk pajamas to bed. They'll feel good on you, and if you still have to

get up and walk around, you'll be classily clothed.

Rub your legs with an electric vibrator. Some people say this reduces

symptoms; in a few people, however, it could make symptoms worse.

 

 

Massage your legs. " Right before bedtime, rubbing your legs might be

beneficial, " suggests Richard K. Olney, M.D., an assistant professor of

neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. Mild stretching

also might help.

Avoid sleep-inducing medications. They may provide short-term benefits, but

many people build up a tolerance to them and then they have two

problems-restless legs syndrome and dependence on the drugs, says Dr. Stern.

Don't use alcohol as a sedative. Again, you set yourself up for double

trouble, Dr. Stern says.

Stop or dramatically reduce caffeine. " Some studies have shown an

association between relief of restless legs syndrome and stopping

caffeine, "

Dr. Pfeiffer says.

Quit smoking. A 70-year-old woman who was a smoker and long-time sufferer of

restless legs syndrome found relief a month after she stopped smoking,

according to one Canadian doctor. Another four months later, according to

the doctor's report, the woman was still free of symptoms.

Come in from the cold. Several studies have implicated prolonged exposure to

cold as a possible cause of restless legs syndrome.

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/113.cfm

 

 

 

 

 

 

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